Annamanada
Grama Panchayat

About a thousand years ago, the area extending up to a place known as Kalloor Aal, near Thaikkuttam, was under the rule of the ruler of Paravur. Gradually, this region was conquered by the King of Travancore and brought under his control. About 200 years ago, when the boundary dispute between Travancore and Cochin became intense, the British authorities intervened and appointed a one-member commission to demarcate the boundary. This resulted in the formation of the six-foot-wide pathway that divided the Poovathussery area into two, as well as the Cochin–Travancore boundary stone, locally known as the “Ko-Thi stone.”

The famous Annamanada Mahadeva Temple came under the Cochin kingdom. The present design of the temple and its ten-day festival celebrations had begun even before the period of Cochin royal rule. The circular temple structure, which is more than 600 years old, along with its headquarters, belonged to the Purakkatupulli Mana. The Brahmin families in the surrounding area were appointed as the temple’s Oorayma (hereditary administrative trustees), and they managed the affairs of the temple.

When this region came under the rule of the Cochin kingdom, development began to take place. The Cochin royal family selected the area as a place of leisure and constructed a Kovilakam (royal residence) adjoining the temple, where they could rest, bathe and stay.

All the land on both banks of the Chalakudy River, within the Adoor Farka, belonged to nine Brahmin landlord families and Devaswoms. Lands directly connected with the government, known as Pandara lands, were very rare.

Until the middle of the 1930s, primitive practices, customs, traditions and social conventions continued to exist in the region. At that time, only members of the upper castes were permitted to enter temples. Untouchability, with all its associated evils, was prevalent here as well. People belonging to the so-called lower castes even used different forms of speech when addressing members of the higher castes. For example, they used the words chembukaash for a coin, nelpathir for rice/paddy, and adiyan for “I.”

After the region passed from Travancore rule to the Cochin kingdom, new administrative reforms were introduced.

There are no clear historical records explaining the origin of the rhythmic place name “Annamanada,” which is easy for local people to pronounce but difficult for outsiders. With the formation of Adoor Farka, Annamanada became the headquarters of seven and a half villages, including Meladoor and Keezhadoor.

According to one tradition, the name Annamanada evolved from the phrase referring to the Nada (entrance/way) where food was served in connection with the Annamanada Mahadeva Temple.

The echoes of the struggles led by the Narayana movement against landlordism and untouchability, the social reform activities associated with Ayyankali, and the national freedom movement were also felt in Annamanada. One of the local struggles that can be regarded as part of the numerous small and large movements that took place before and after independence for the creation of modern Kerala was the Kumbidi Farmers’ Struggle.

This struggle began on January 8, 1954. The agitation involved severe repression and physical assaults on the protesters. V. P. Arumukhan, E. K. Velayudhan, K. K. Viswambharan, K. K. Sarojini and V. P. Padmanabhan played leading roles in the struggle.

From the early period itself, several public institutions had begun functioning in Annamanada, including a Magistrate’s Court, Police Station, Parvathy Kacheri, Devaswom Kacheri and Anchal Office (postal office).

The present Annamanada Government Upper Primary School began in 1886 in the Oottupura (feeding hall) adjoining the Mahadeva Temple. Even the public education system of that period was affected by untouchability and the caste system. As part of this discrimination, members of the so-called untouchable castes were denied admission to the school established in the Oottupura.

The Koratti Swarupam in West Koratty, and the Paliyam Kacheri and Paliyam Temple in the Kalloor area, are places of considerable historical importance. The history of the origin of Koratty Church also contains references to the Koratti Swarupam.

About a century ago, the Cochin kingdom introduced a unique Panchayat Court system, which was not found elsewhere at that time. The court consisted of a jury nominated by the people of the area, along with a president chosen from among them. Panampilly Krishnankutty Menon was the first president.

Kandaramadam Kunhumuhammad Methar, Kanichayi Anthappan Master, Kumbidi Kudilingal Lonakunj and Chelakkadan Chackappan Master were among those who later served as presidents. The jury court settled all monetary disputes involving amounts below fifty rupees. This court system was considered a great benefit to the people.

The functioning of the Panchayat Court eventually inspired the creation of a dedicated Panchayat Department. When a Panchayat was subsequently established here, Vettath Raman Menon became its first president. This was initiated more than a hundred years ago.

During that period, roads such as Palapuzha Road and Mala Road, the Porakkulam Bridge, canals for controlling floodwater, culverts and other infrastructure were constructed under the supervision of this administrative body. Valoor Kootalanchira and Kalloorchira were also constructed during that period.

Annamanada is situated in the southern part of Thrissur district, about 5 km west of National Highway 47 and 16 km east of National Highway 17. The routes connecting Koratty–Pulikakkadavu, Annamanada–Mala and Puthenchira–Kodungallur provide the shortest commercial links between the highland and coastal regions. They enabled people living in the highlands to connect with the coastal areas and vice versa.

When one hears the name Annamanada, the first things that come to mind are the Annamanada Mahadeva Temple and Panchavadyam, the traditional temple percussion ensemble.

The Mahadeva Temple is one of the famous places of worship in Kerala. Annamanada is particularly renowned for the thimila, one of the principal instruments used in Panchavadyam. The prominence that the thimila has achieved is closely associated with Annamanada.

When musicians such as Annamanada Achutha Marar, Parameswara Marar and Peethambara Marar attained mastery in thimila performance, the fame of Annamanada spread far beyond the region. Numerous honours and awards came to these three celebrated musicians.

In addition to honours such as Veera Shrinkhala and Ponnada, Achutha Marar received the distinguished title of Panchavadhya Panchanan. Parameswara Marar was honoured with the title Kalacharya.